June 24, NHL.com: Playing for Slovakia at the 2009 World Junior Championships in Ottawa is his most memorable hockey moment. Tatar was named Slovakia's Top Forward after leading his team and finishing tied for fourth overall with 11 points (7-4-11).

He patterns his game after Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis -- "he is smaller than others, but strong with the puck. He has great hockey sense and scoring ability".

His parents and older brothers, Marek and Tibor, who play professionally in Europe, have been the greatest influences on his career. They have helped him not only financially, but with skilled advice.

Watching Slovakia qualify for the World Championships in Sweden was a memorable moment for him - "they played excellent as a team".

2007-08: Tatar saw time with HK Dukla Trencin's U18 and U20 squads, finishing the season with a combined 50 goals and 39 assists in 46 games in the Slovakian league.

2008-09: In his first season in the senior Slovak hockey system, he played for HKM Zvolen in the elite Extraliga league, posting seven goals and 15 points in 48 games. He finished the season with a +6 rating before heading off to the World Juniors, where he would score seven goals and 11 points in seven games for a Slovaks who upset Team USA. He led the team in points and tied for the fourth best total in the tournament overall.

Talent Analysis

Tatar is a goal scorer, but somewhat undersized at 5'11.

ISS on Tatar: "Tatar has long been known to be a tremendous scorer, but the WJC was his breakout party. Tatar has great hands and a tremendous shot. His ability to be in the right place at the right time is incredible. No player saw his 2009 draft stock rise higher then Tatar after this tournament."

Future

Tatar is rated as the 14th European skater by Central Scouting, and 41st overall by ISS (May).

THE SKINNY
Tatar played in 48 Slovak Extraliga games this season, tallying 15 points (7-8-15) and 20 penalty minutes with Zvolen. He also appeared in one junior game with HC Detva, registering a goal and an assist.

Tatar represented Slovakia at the 2009 World Junior Championships, scoring 11 points (7-4-11) in seven games to help his home country upset Team USA en route to the Semifinals.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"Tatar has long been known to be a tremendous scorer, but the WJC was his breakout party. Tatar has great hands and a tremendous shot. His ability to be in the right place at the right time is incredible. No player saw his 2009 draft stock rise higher then Tatar after this tournament."
-International Scouting Services